Britain is facing the coldest February since 1986 - as snow storms returned yesterday.

Experts say more are on their way and even a slight dip in temperatures will make this the chilliest February in 24 years when mercury levels averaged -1.2C (34F).

But the Met Office warned us not to be fooled by a mild weekend as a punishing -5C or -6C chill is set to sweep in on Monday.

And it will see a return of the travel chaos suffered in the North and East yesterday - as there is a 60% chance of heavy snow hitting everywhere north of the Thames Valley.

Met forecaster Barry Gromett said: "The first 14 days of February were colder than the month's average over the past 30 years.

"If it stays like this for the rest of February, it will be the coldest February since 1996 and may be since 1986.

"A winter front will begin sweeping its way across the North on Monday bringing bouts of sleet and snow.

"This may turn into rain in the South but will bring temperatures all over right down." Blizzard conditions yesterday led to crashes and road and lane closures on some major routes in North, the Midlands and eastern counties.

A jack-knifed lorry caused a section of the M40 in Warwickshire to be closed and a crash shut a section of the M62 in Greater Manchester. Smashes also affected traffic on the M5 in Worcestershire, the A14 in Cambridgeshire, the M55 in Lancashire and the M62 in West Yorkshire.

Overhead power supply problems in the Sutton Coldfield area meant London Midland passengers had to transfer to buses between Lichfield Trent Valley and Wylde Green.

An electrical problem at Ainsdale in Merseyside led to delays to Merseyrail services.